For
many years, antibiotics have been effectively used to treat bacterial disease;
and pesticides have been used to protect our agricultural crops from many kinds
of pests, including insects, worms (nematodes), fungi, or agricultural weeds,
for example.
A growing concern for treating
bacterial diseases or pest outbreaks is the evolution of antibiotic or
pesticide resistance by bacterial or pest populations. Resistance means that a
particular antibiotic is no longer effective in treating a disease, or that a
particular pesticide will no longer prevent crop damage. This resistance can be
viewed as evolution of a new trait at the population level, which is resistance
to an antibiotic or to a pesticide. In this assignment, you will explore
specific examples of antibiotic or pesticide resistance.
Assignment
Details
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) has become a big concern in hospitals throughout the country and
the world, as have other antibiotic resistant bacterial strains.
Part 1
- The use, overuse, and abuse of
antibiotics is accredited with creating these antibiotic resistant
strains. Explain how this relates to natural selection.
- Describe 1–2 of the things that
people do (you can include individuals, doctors, health care professionals,
hospitals, farmers, etc.) that contribute to this problem? Why?
Part 2
- How can you prevent or slow
down the spread and further the selection of new antibiotic resistant
strains of bacteria?
- Are there things that you can
personally do to reduce your risk or even to reduce the spread of these
dangerous microbes?
- What is your reaction to the following sign that is commonly found in restrooms? Is it significant to the discussion of antibiotic resistance?
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